off grid powered solely on solar system - Printable Version

+- Newell Gurus (https://newellgurus.com)
+-- Forum: Fun Stuff (https://newellgurus.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=12)
+--- Forum: Technology In General (https://newellgurus.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=62)
+--- Thread: off grid powered solely on solar system (/showthread.php?tid=8885)

---

off grid powered solely on solar system - windtrader - 03-09-2026

Hi,
I'm interested in a Newell coach and wondering what projects have been done on Newell to get them fully off the pole and tanks (propane and diesel). During my eight years of owning a MCI bus conversion the bus is 100% powered by the sun. Residential solar panels and lithium batteries are the heart of the system. The roof on the Newell looks like plenty of real estate and plenty of bay storage for batteries.

What is the parasitic draw to keep the coach running while off grid? I read something about the slide air seals need air supplied to them, meaning some form of air compressor is using some energy. Besides the refrigerator, hot water heater, and AC, coach lighting, cooktop, what else draws energy while parked?

I'm designing for 3000 watts of solar and 12kWh of lithium as the baseline with the facts I have thus far.

I do include a backup generator as there are rare times where multiple days of low solar energy forces a charge up of the battery bank. So far it is rare: once where it rained non-stop for 5 days and once where fog never lifted for days on end.

---

RE: off grid powered solely on solar system - encantotom - 03-09-2026

if you have a newell with basement airs, there is tons of room for solar panels on the roof. and lots of room for batteries.

as we all know, anything with an element is going to consume power fast. slide seals are kept up in the 2003 and older with a 12v pump and if you have fixed most of the air leaks that will not be much of an issue.

the tv's and stereo draw residual power.

the ac will take a ton of power as well.

tom

---

RE: off grid powered solely on solar system - [email protected] - 03-10-2026

My Newell is mostly electric, meaning no propane. I do have the aquahot for domestic water heating and for coach heat. These were built to run off thier 20kw generators. The basement air units are power hungry. I know a few members have converted to mini split units and other air conditioning systems to replace the basement units. Residential fridge in mine is original and it’s fairly power hungry compared to a newer more efficient fridge. That will eventually be up for replacement in mine, but since it works fairly good I am not planning on replacing any time soon if I do not have to.

---

RE: off grid powered solely on solar system - windtrader - 03-10-2026

@Tom - The OEM basement air would need to be changed. It must draw a lot of power just looking at the size of the fan cage one.  Something along the lines of retro fit mini-split or the latest highly efficient designs into the current location, ideally reusing existing ductwork. Other options include inside mini-split or rooftops(last resort). A full energy audit starts the process, how much paring back is required and solar system sizing and design.

@Gino - thanks for the rundown on your coach. The MCI has a massive Webasto (100kw) hydronic system that provides interior and bay heat, hot water, and block loop. I only use it for coach heat. The older refrigerators do consume excessive energy, especially multi-source absorption design.

side note - I'm learning about the Newell community - a niche in a niche. I'm a newcomer to Newell and it's sort of obvious with so few made and owners that actively participate in this sort of forum. Searching FB reveals how unique and special Newell coaches are in contrast to virtually every other type and brand of motorhome. Where else do owners reference their coach by serial number?

---

RE: off grid powered solely on solar system - encantotom - 03-10-2026

the fixit knowledge of the folks here on the guru forum is the most extensive anywhere. for the 15 year and older coaches, newell factory experience is starting to fade as folks retire there.

it is communities like this that keep them going

tom

---

RE: off grid powered solely on solar system - Jack Houpe - 03-11-2026

We put 5250 watts of solar on the roof with a 48vdc inverter charger still using the AGM batteries in series and its been doing a great job for 3 years now. But its been updated on HVAC and inverter refrigerator.

---

RE: off grid powered solely on solar system - Richard - 03-11-2026

In my view of the world, it’s a pretty straightforward deal for an experienced guy like you. There are a few key points learned by others.

Don’t need to splain LiPoFe to you. Or enough inverter to run your stuff. Almost all Newells come with enough bay space to pack six 8D batteries in there.

Basement air is a must to have enough roof space and not have the aircraft carrier look. But you will immediately take the basement air out. You will then have two options. Use the existing ductwork with the MUST option of using a high static high flow indoor air handler to push enough air through the existing ductwork. OR the coach may lend itself to the more efficient indoor wall cassettes. The individual coach will dictate this. Jack Houpe’s coach is one that it worked in. Cassettes would not have worked at all in the coach I owned.

And if you really want OFF grid plumb the existing AquaHot heating and HW loops into a mini heat pump.

---

RE: off grid powered solely on solar system - Jack Houpe - 03-12-2026

I've been involved with the conversion of inverters and the addition of 4050w of solar on the roof of a bus with 3 basement airs. The solar takes care of the refrigeration and 1 basement air but not can't do all three or the hot water heater so we are planning a HVAC conversion this fall. Use the diesel side of the aquahot for hot water needs.

---

RE: off grid powered solely on solar system - windtrader - 03-30-2026

I'm glad there is experience here to guide those trekking down the off grid path. As mentioned I'm 100% off the pole and generator except after several days of too little solar production - multiple foggy days, gray overcast, rain, etc. Given our mantra - "chasing 70", we rarely resort to backup power generation. In fact, the 7k Generac acted up one too many times so it got pulled and replaced with a quiet 3k gas portable for those rare instances. A couple hours provide sufficient charge for a day or two.

A new generation inverter compressor refrigerator abates excessive power drain. Led lighting all around, ditching any halogen or incandescents checks that off. Hot water gobbles power. Electric is the only option to avoid consuming fuel, diesel or propane. I pull about 1400 watts to heat water for the day, it is off the remainder of the day. AC via mini-splits works, again not a large drain since hot weather means the coach is heading north.

Without AC on the roof, there's plenty of real estate for panels and lenty of basement space for lithiums.. At worst case, a roll around AC can provide relief or the backup generator.

Heating is via a webasto hydronic system and that would rollover to the Aquahot. Since we only heat in the morning to take the chill off, I'll probably use electric for hot water.

Newells do incur added "parasitic" drain as mentioned above but short term, periodic draw doesn't feel like adding much to the overall daily consumption. Any field energy audit data on all these things is welcome.

---

RE: off grid powered solely on solar system - Jack Houpe - 03-31-2026

I strongly recommend this product, I have used it for several years and it breaks down to the cent where your power is going and its wifi so while we were in Florida for the winter I watched what was going on in the Newell and could tell you every time the on board air compressor came on which told me that my seals where still doing the job.

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0LDeuMDHNzS4yYPTiTs0tyC_KTFQoK00FAHmJCPc&q=emporia+vue&oq=emporia&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDQgDEC4YsQMYgAQY5QQyBwgAEAAYjwIyCggBEC4YsQMYgAQyCggCEC4YsQMYgAQyDQgDEC4YsQMYgAQY5QQyDQgEEC4YxwEY0QMYgAQyDQgFEAAYgwEYsQMYgAQyBwgGEC4YgAQyCggHEC4YgAQY5QQyDQgIEC4YrwEYxwEYgAQyBwgJEAAYgATSAQoxMDg3NmowajE1qAIIsAIB8QUxsBuUAVGRHw&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

---